NFL ratings have continued to hold up better during the day than in the evening.
The Week 8 NFL singleheader had a 9.5 final rating and 16.2 million viewers on CBS Sunday afternoon, up 13% in ratings and 15% in viewership from last year (8.4, 14.1M) but down 14% and 12%, respectively, from coverage on FOX in 2014 (11.0, 18.4M).
The telecast was just the ninth of 52 NFL windows this season to post an increase in ratings and the 10th to do so in viewership.
In a down season for the NFL, the bright spots have come early in the day. Of the 19 NFL telecasts to begin before 4:25 PM ET — the singleheader, early doubleheader game, and the 9:30 AM specials from London — eight have posted increases in ratings and/or viewership. Of the 33 windows to begin at or after 4:25, just three have increased.
(Wknd. numbers via ShowBuzz Daily 11/1)
